Vehicle Description
Chassis No. VF3741R76E5100091
What could the Corvette Indy, GM's 1986 mid-engined, four-wheel
steering Corvette-inspired technology test-bed, Lotus, and a Group
B Peugeot 205 T16 homologation special possibly have in common?
Well, it turns out a lot! Those at General Motors looking to
improve their active suspension technology for a variety of GM
products knew what they didn't know and looked to those at recently
acquired Group Lotus to provide their highly specialized expertise.
Along with pioneering "ground effect" technology with the Lotus 78
in Formula One, the British automaker had invested heavily in
active suspension technology with none other than Nigel Mansell
testing Lotus's take on the concept himself in an Esprit around
Brands Hatch in late 1983.
With GM signing off on the active suspension project, Lotus went
shopping. Top priorities were for a quick, stoutly-built car with
four-wheel-drive that could be outfitted with testing equipment and
easily modified. Thoughts quickly turned to the awe-inspiring,
low-volume rally cars built to FIA Group B rules. Recognizing that
Peugeot was building the Group B cars to beat (they won the World
Rally Championship in 1985 and 1986), Lotus purchased the remaining
two homologation variants of the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 directly from
Peugeot Talbot Sport (PTS). Racers that they are, and likely with a
large check from GM, Lotus requested the cars be fitted with what
is commonly known as the "PTS Clubman Package." Nearly doubling the
price of the "standard" car at approximately 290,000 French Francs,
the Clubman Package added all of the performance parts and weight
reduction items that Peugeot Talbot Sport could muster. To start
with, engine power increased to 300 horsepower with raised boost
and all manner of additional engine upgrades to match the power,
including additional cooling components. Shorter gear ratios and a
central limited-slip differential were added. The chassis was
stiffened by seam-welding with the whole package of improvements
said to reduce weight by 240 pounds. Of course, Lotus engineers had
to break them in...
Like any rigorous scientific test, Lotus engineers kept one 205
Turbo 16 as a control and the other-this very car-as the
experimental testbed. With company pride riding high, the team at
Lotus threw everything they could at the little Peugeot. Most
important was the addition of an active suspension system that
brought GM to Lotus in the first place. Designed to keep the car
"flat" during high-speed cornering, the Lotus system used a network
of electronics with sensors and computers along with mechanical
components like hydraulics and modified differentials to modify its
tire contact patch on the fly. Not simply satisfied with an active
suspension system, Lotus also modified the rear end of the Peugeot
with specialized four-wheel steering. Offering greatly increased
agility, the system could function in-phase, turning with front
wheels or out of phase at lower speeds to decrease the turning
radius.
After extensive modifications, the Peugeot was tested across the
globe, in varying climatic conditions against its sibling, the
control car. It is said to have been a favorite of the Lotus
testers of that era and the 15,955 kilometers, or approximately
9,915 miles displayed on the odometer at cataloging, certainly
confirm that! After testing by Lotus, both Peugeot 205 Turbo 16s
were shipped to GM's Global Technical Center just outside of
Detroit, Michigan. Later, chassis number 91 entered GM's Heritage
Collection, a world-class showcase of GM's most successful, iconic,
and experimental models. It must have caused a few bewildered looks
by those walking past it in an attempt to understand why a French
Group B rally car sat among mostly GM brand models. Later, in 2018
the car was sold into private hands, still retaining the decals and
tags from its time at GM.
Today, this 1984 Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 has only accrued an
additional 40 kilometers since that time. Most recently, it has
received a thorough mechanical recommissioning by Esses Racing of
Austin Texas. The work was completed with the assistance of Jay
Auger, owner of the Rally Group B Shrine, and Steve Green, formerly
of Lotus Engineering and part of the original team that developed
the special active systems on this very car. With its life as an
engineering test bed finished, this Peugeot, fondly remembered by
Lotus engineers-and likely anyone who has sat behind the wheel-can
now be appreciated for not only its competition breeding,
homologation rarity, and unique history, but for the collaboration
and technology transfer on an international scale.
Addendum & Administrative Notes
Due to California emissions laws, please note that this vehicle may
only be sold to an out-of-state resident for use outside of
California or to a licensed automotive dealer.
